Lemonade Cake

I attended a MOPS recipe exchange last night. This is the second recipe exchange I've been to. At first, I was a little skeptical that 'exchanging recipes' could be fun. But in reality, it's just a code phrase for 'getting together, eating, and talking'. Everyone makes their recipe to share, brings a copy of the recipe, samples the food, and talks. At the end, you get a copy of everyone's recipe in a packet to take home!

I made a lemonade layer cake which is really good and as long as you don't mind grating a lemon peel, it's not too hard. My husband and I loved this recipe when we made it at Easter.

Tip of the Day

I used to hate emptying the wastebaskets (small ones in the bathroom/bedrooms). But then I started lining them with plastic grocery store bags. Much easier than dumping all the waste into a large bag; instead you just pick it up and go.

If you already do line your wastebaskets, a real time-saver I've started is putting 3 extra grocery bags in the bottom of the wastebasket and then putting the top bag out as normal. That way, you don't have to remember to bring a bag every time you empty it! Easy.

Ragged Edge Baby Blanket

I really like to sew baby things. They're small, so they don't take lots of time or fabric. A friend of mine made one of these blankets for our little guy. I liked this idea because it doesn't have to be 'perfect'. The cuts don't have to be measured. I just eyed them up. I used "snuggle flannel" from Jo-Ann fabric. I got it for about $2/yard when it was on sale a few weeks ago. I just love that stuff...so perfect for babies!

What you'll need:
-2 yards of contrasting flannel fabric
-thread
-sewing machine
-scissors.

Line up your fabric and cut to make each piece even. Make sure it is [relatively] square.


Pin the fabric layers together, wrong sides together.


Stitch around the perimeter. I stitched 7/8" in from the side. Your machine probably has lines etched into it to show how far you are from the edge. When stitching around the perimeter of the blanket, make a square corner. (Pick up your machine's presser foot and turn the fabric 90 degrees.)



You're going to make a square cut at ever corner. Cut just to the stitching; not into the stitching!

Start cutting the edges. Make sure you do not cut through the stitching! Just make the cuts evenly spaced. I wouldn't bother measuring. Just eye it up.

After you get all the edges cut:


You're done! Put it through a few wash/dry cycles and the edges will look nice and ragged! The flannel will feel softer, too.

Homemade Hand Scrub

This is a homemade sugar and honey hand scrub a friend made me for a gift. It is GREAT! You rub it onto your hands for a few minutes and then wash it off. Then moisturize! No chemicals additives. It is a really inexpensive way to make a small gift.

Want the recipe?
* 1/2 cup brown sugar
* 1/4 cup olive oil
* 4 tbsp. honey
* 2 tbsp. cinnamon

Growing Herbs

This is a basil plant:

I'm going to start growing basil and try not to buy it at the store anymore. Then, I might try growing all my own herbs. So much less expensive. For example, this cilantro cost $1.99 at Giant Eagle and doesn't even look all that fresh:


I could probably buy a whole cilantro plant for $4.99 somewhere. I've also heard that herbs don't die off over the winter and they'll grow again for summer, so no need to repurchase and replant!